Tom's Race Report from Firebird

5/29/04 - 5/30/04 Firebird East, Chandler, AZ

Hello,

Boy are we accumulating a lot of stuff!! Looks like we will have to bring 2 trailers from now on! The evap cooler Pat bought helped to keep us cool in the 105 temps! Saturday morning I arrived at Firebird early and got set up close to Pit out, so we were able to hear the announcer for a change. I wanted to have a "smart" race weekend so instead of rushing I missed the first session. Checked the bike out and got my gear ready. I knew my front was close to the end of it's life and would change it before the last session and then scrub it in. The rear was fine; had 2 sessions on it 2 weeks prior at a track day. Brian dipped into the 106's -- I never left the high 107's but I tried to really work on things. This was going to be Mike's first day on the 999 he bought from Pat and he did real well all weekend until somebody took him out. I also have to thank Pat for being there all weekend to help out, I don't know if I could be there and not ride! I felt great Saturday with the progress I had made even thought the lap times didn't show it. Brian and I had a discussion and differ on the theory "go slower to get faster". I'll be honest I don't want to crash any more but realize I will. I just want to take calculated risks. For the first time I slid both tires coming onto the straight. All this track time has enabled me to deal with things like that.

Anyway, I felt great Saturday and was ready for Sunday. I was the very first person there because I had a lot to do. My nephew Steven was doing his second track day on the west track and had his bike in my trailer and we had to raise Brian's rear 4mm and lower his front 5mm since he changed at the end of the day Saturday to Michelin's. We only had 1 practice session. I only did 6 or 7 laps with my last one in the mid 107's. First race was the GTO and I got a horrible start. Brian got away, I worked past most to 3rd and had a 30 sec lead on 4th so I saved tires never getting out of the 107's and finished 3rd. OK result but very pissed about the start!

Second race for me was the F40. This class I am in second place, close to Ted Rich #29. His lap times during practice are 103-104 so I'm thinking, get a good start try to get in front and make him go around me or hook on his back. Well after the shitty start in race 1 I was determined to get a good one here. It was one of my best. Ted wheelied and I lead to the first turn in front of everyone, even the experts that started in front!! Naturally that didn't last too long with 2 experts getting by me in the first lap. I made it to the last turn "the on ramp" before the start finish straight where I slid both tires the day before and as I dropped it in Ted hits me! It didn't really bother me too much cause, Hey this is racin' (he actually came and said he was sorry later) but I had to stand it up and he went up the inside. He didn't get too far away and by the second turn I was on his ass when his bike dies and I just miss hitting him getting around. Thanks to the pit board I saw I had a huge lead and went on to win and I think go into first in F40.

Race 3 was Heavyweight Superbike. I got off to another great start and lead this race also. Here's where miss piggy can't hold her own against the I4 750's, still I was leading the points with all podium finishes so a 2nd or 3rd would be OK. Brian Land #229 was in the 102-103 range which I am not ---yet. I lead all the way to the straight again and got sandwiched between 2 bikes at the on ramp. We banged around and to avoid crashing (Brian was behind me and saw the mêlée!). I ran off the track and came back on in last place. I think I worked up to 6th but was pissed, oh well that's racin'!

Next race was the Unlimited GP. Finishing in the top 10 for me is great since anything goes (bike wise) and with miss piggy we give up 40 some odd horse and 60 some odd lbs.'s! Now I am on a tear with the starts, another first lap lead! 5 of those I4's got by me but was happy with a 6th. This race saw the most bikes go down, 5 that I know of with 1 being Brian and another being Mike in his first race and first lap (second turn) on his just purchased 999! We were all a little worried for a while but they are both OK and ready to hit it again! (at least he got the other side Pat!)

Last race of the day was Supertwins. I knew Patrick Bertinlli was the guy to beat. He has a nice 996 with a few more ponies than me and can ride the sucker. I kinda had my eye on this race all weekend. I really wanted to move up in the points. Other than Brian, there is no reason I should not be in second behind Brian. The other 2 riders are more than 3 seconds slower than both of us except Patrick. Thing is Patrick only does Firebird races. Patrick was in the 105's in practice so if he steps it up he should be in the 103's. I was counting on Brian and Mike to get up with us to get the second and third points guys to move down (I'm in 4th!). Since they crashed out it was going to be just me and Patrick. Again a kick ass start! When Patrick and I were on the track together at practice he would out brake me at the end of the straight. I would always let him do that in practice and I would always (when I wasn't alone) brake at the same spot. With the great start I got to the end of the straight first and broke as late as possible, leading through T1,2 and broke late into T3 and Patrick had to run off. He caught me in lap 8. It was now 105 freakin' degrees out and my bike temp read 255 for lap 8,9,and 10. I definitely felt the lost of power and I believe it cost me the race. Still 2nd was OK since it was so much fun!!

Brian had the low lap tome of the team with 1:04.77. I got down to 1:05.00. My brakes and rotors are shot and Evans after a good flush is going in.

I'd like to thank Sally for bringing us lunch Saturday (and Pat beer), and Pat for all the help even though he couldn't race and my nephew Steve for all the work he has done on my bike and is doing and is going to do!

Tom Savoca

#151